The decision by Chris White, Conservative MP for Warwick and Leamington, to break party loyalty was a further bonus.

He has been in Parliament for just eight months but is prepared to make a stand over the prospect of 250mph bullet trains ripping through Warwickshire countryside.

Councillors at Shire Hall united in condemning the plan for the £17bn HS2 link which would cut through countryside from Southam to Hampton-in-Arden, and the western edge of Coventry.

Mr White, who joins Kenilworth and Southam Conservative MP Jeremy Wright in expressing concerns about the route, has written to Tory transport secretary Philip Hammond, informing him of his opposition.

Mr White said: “I cannot in good conscience vote for HS2 with the route as it stands, which will tear up Warwickshire’s countryside and will bring no benefit to Warwick and Leamington – quite the opposite.

“The route will do irreparable damage to our surrounding environment, and will draw economic development away from our area towards big cities like Birmingham.

“When we are facing deep but necessary reductions in public spending, I do not believe the multi-billion pound cost can be justified.”

He added: “I was sent to Westminster to represent my constituency. Warwick and Leamington will always be my top priority, and I will not support something I believe will damage our community.”

Warwickshire county councillors across political divides united in joining Coventry City Council and Warwick District Council in opposing the plan.

The HS2 line would be built next to communities including Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Burton Green, Offchurch and Cubbington.

There would be a new station near the NEC, and journey time to London could be as little as 49 minutes.

County councillors agreed it was a waste of money, which could be better spent on the existing network, with services already being improved between Warwick and Leamington and London.

Tory Warwickshire County Council leader Alan Farnell will also write to the transport secretary, and pledged to work with other councils.